Things to do at night in Taipei

Things to Do at Night in Taipei

The fun never ends in Taipei, even after the sun goes down. Many entertainment venues come to life in the dark. These include but are not limited to trendy bars, eclectic clubs, and lively night markets. You can also go beyond the stereotypical and explore historic temples, dine in night-view restaurants, and watch late-night shows. If you are wondering about nightlife options, we have got you. We list the best things to do at night in Taipei that will ensure you have an epic evening experience.

    Catch Beautiful Sunsets At Taipei 101

    Taipei 101
    Taipei 101 is impressive and can be visited anytime.
    • Address: No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 10 AM – 9 PM
    • Social Media: Official Website

    We begin our list with the gigantic Taipei 101. Once called the world’s tallest building, this skyscraper held that position from its opening in 2004 until 2007. Later, Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2007 and has claimed the position since. Taipei 101 is a sight to behold with its innovative design and architectural resilience against earthquakes. It achieved WELL v2 Core Platinum Certification in 2023 and became the first building among the world’s top 10 super-tall buildings to receive both LEED and WELL dual Platinum Certifications.

    This gigantic building is best visited at night. From its 89th floor, you can enjoy impressive city night views. The 91st floor lets you see the city and sky from a great height. If you are not scared, climb to the 101st floor, where you will see distant mountains surrounding the city. You can also visit Taipei 101 during the evening to catch beautiful sunsets.

    Enjoy Late Night Shopping At Ximending

    Ximen
    Ximending is a shopper’s paradise in Taipei.
    • Address: Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108; Google Map
    • Things To Do: Shopping, Sightseeing, Exploring Nightlife

    You can never go wrong with shopping. No matter what time of the day, shopping is an excellent pastime. And what better to do that than in Ximen, Taipei’s largest shopping district? Its hype is even compared to Japan‘s Harajuku. This neighborhood has department stores, trendy boutiques, thrift shops, clothing outlets, and souvenir shops. You will find them all here whether you want high-brand clothing or local products.

    Ximending is also home to local restaurants, coffee shops, fast-food eateries, and street food vendors. If you want to try street food in Taipei, this is where you must be. Roam the streets while sampling local food and mingling with tourists and locals. You can drop by any store and buy things that interest you or simply enjoy window shopping.

    Explore Night Markets In Taipei

    Taipei’s abundant night markets are one thing that sets it apart from other Taiwanese cities. These places have been running for decades and have not lost their originality. While some are more popular than others, visitors will enjoy exploring every one of them.

    Buy Goods From Shilin Night Market

    Shilin Night Market
    Shilin Night Market is one of the top night destinations in Taipei.
    • Address: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 4 PM – 12 AM
    • Social Media: Official Website

    If you are wondering where to start, the infamous Shilin Night Market is the first place to go. It is the largest and most famous Taiwanese night market. It was built as early as 1899 and has continued ever since. You can find everything here, from clothing to furniture, accessories, and souvenirs. Since this market is close to many schools, students are the majority of its customers. Hence, goods are priced cheaply compared to other markets.

    Shilin Night Market is the best place to try street food. Michelin-rated food stalls sell delicious non-vegetarian, vegetarian, and seafood options. Some must-have foods in the market are oyster omelets, braised pork rice, pork liver soup, stinky tofu, tempura, chicken noodles, skewered squid, and whole pig’s brain soup. Wash down your meal with a sweet pearl milk tea.

    Eat And Drink Your Way Through Ningxia Night Market

    Ningxia Night Market
    Sample local dishes at Ningxia Night Market.
    • Address: 103, Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District, Ningxia Rd, 58號2樓; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 5 PM – 1 AM
    • Things To Do: Window shopping, Shopping, Food Tours

    If there is any Taipei night market that can boast of having the best street food, it has to be Ningxia Night Market. It features a relaxed atmosphere and a small community vibe, far from crowded and busy scenarios in other markets. You can leisurely explore the market while sampling available food options. While there are many to try, taste braised pork rice balls, fried quails’ eggs, oysters, stinky tofu, Lu Rou Fan, Ji Rou Fan, grilled sausages, fatty pork sausages, and fried scallion.

    What makes Ningxia Night Market special is its affordable rates. You can eat and drink all night without draining your bank account. Furthermore, this market is easy to reach. You can take the red MRT line to the Shuanglian MRT Stop and walk ten minutes to the market. Zhongshan MRT Stop is another MRT station closest to the market.

    Enjoy Local Delicacies At Raohe Street Night Market

    Raohe Street Night Market
    Go for a food tour in Raohe Street Night Market.
    • Address: Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 5 PM – 11 PM
    • Things To Do: Shopping, Dining, Taking Pictures

    The impressive Raohe Street Night Market goes head-to-head with Ningxia Night Market regarding street food. It is among the oldest Taiwanese night markets and is a favorite among locals and tourists. This market features 400 food stalls and restaurants, including six Michelin-awarded food stalls. It offers Taipei’s delicacies like Oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, braised pork ribs, beef noodle soup, pork feet noodles, spare ribs stewed in herbal soup, and pepper cakes.

    Pepper meat buns are a must-try food and are Michelin-recommended. You can compliment your street food with sweet mochi or bubble tea. In addition to yummy snacks, this street night market is a hub for general merchandise and accessories. Many stores sell clothes, games, and accessories at affordable rates. To commemorate your experience, snap pictures in front of the Rainbow Bridge and Love Sign.

    Avoid Crowds At Yansan Night Market

    Gua Bao
    Try Gua Bao and other local Taiwanese food at Yansan Night Market.
    • Address: Section 3, Yanping N Rd, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 6 PM – 12 AM
    • Things To Do: Shopping, Dining

    Shilin, Ningxia, and Raohe are Taipei’s crowdiest street night markets. Thanks to their ever-increasing popularity, hundreds, if not more, come here every night. If you want a quieter and non-touristy night market, Yansan Night Market is your destination. It is more of a local night market in the city’s southern part. It features several food stalls and roadside restaurants offering delicious food at affordable rates.

    The first thing to do here is go on the Yansan Night Market Food Tour. You can go solo or book a guided tour to explore its street food options. You should start with a Gua Bao, a classic Taiwanese dish featuring a cut-open steamed bun stuffed with braised pork, peanut powder, and other spices. Move on to fragrant, chewy fried noodles that will keep you craving more. Finally, finish with sweet mochi ice. You can also try other available street foods.

    Trace The Sketchy Background Of Huaxi Street Night Market

    Huaxi Street Night Market
    Huaxi Street Night Market has a unique history compared to other night markets.
    • Address: Huaxi St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108; Google Map
    • Opening Hours: 4 PM – 12 AM
    • Things To Do: Shopping, Dining

    No other street night market has a sketchier background than Huaxi Street Night Market. Huaxi Street, once called Snake Alley, was known for its snake performances. This wasn’t like a circus show, where snakes showed their unique charm and personality. No, it was where inhumane live snake killing happened. Restaurant owners brutally killed these poor reptiles in front of their establishments to attract tourists. This fiasco continued until the Taiwanese government banned the snake-killing performances.

    Huaxi Street Night Market was also the largest red-light district in the city. It was packed with brothels from one end to another. Unfortunately, the once-popular night market has fallen from grace. This street night market is no longer selling snake meat (besides some restaurants doing it discreetly) and is a far cry from a red-light district. Nonetheless, this night market features many stores, food stalls, and restaurants specializing in Taiwanese delicacies.

    Visit Night Clubs In Taipei

    What is nightlife without visiting nightclubs? Hence, we recommend visiting the top clubs among the things to do at night in Taipei. Get tipsy, mingle with other clubgoers, and bust some moves on the dance floor.

    Dance The Night Away At Triangle

    Triangle
    Visit Triangle with your friends. (Source: Triangle Facebook)

    Experience Taipei’s number one night entertainment venue, Triangle. It is easy to find, right on the lively Yumen Street. Although it is smaller in size, the atmosphere is just perfect with pulsating beats and cutting-edge lighting and sound systems. The DJ plays upbeat music based on the club’s theme night, such as KTV night, the 80s, and the 90s. Another vouching point of this place is its reasonable prices. You don’t have to pay staggering prices for a cocktail.

    Experience A Great Evening At Barcode

    Barcode
    Barcode is all about sophistication and elegance. (Source: Barcode Facebook)

    Nightclubs don’t always have to be sleazy; establishments like Barcode feature an elegant and sophisticated setting. This classy lounge bar opened in 2005 and has since established itself among the top nightlife options. You can grab a drink and lounge on the plush couches. This place features many places to enjoy a good time, including the pool table, a bar counter, and an outdoor patio Sky Garden. VIP members enjoy privacy and dedicated bar service inside the closed-off Den.

    Visit The Modern Nightclub OMNI

    OMNI
    OMNI boasts the best lighting and sound system in Taipei. (Source: OMNI Facebook)

    Get a high-end clubbing experience at OMNI. It is known for its extravagant visuals, state-of-the-art stage, modern design, and multi-faceted lighting scene. It has even received many prolific international awards in interior design. Since its establishment in 2015, this nightclub has catered to diverse audiences. Its VIP bottle services with avant-garde performance art is a unique trait you won’t find anywhere else. This venue charges more for drinks, but that is only to be expected.

    Experience Rooftop Nightlife At 1001 Nights Taipei

    1001 Nights Taipei
    Smoke hookah at 1001 Nights Taipei. (Source: 1001 Nights Taipei Facebook)

    Enjoy clubbing like never before! 1001 Nights Taipei is a hookah bar popular among students and the Latino and Caribbean communities. You can choose the hookah flavor of your choice, sit back, and then smoke. Professional belly dancers and pole dancers will perform for your entertainment. You can also jump on the stage and move along with them. This bar provides top-quality Shisha and various beverages.

    Enjoy A Late Night Drink At Revolver

    Revolver
    Local and international bands entertain guests at Revolver. (Source: Revolver Facebook)

    Finally, we conclude our list with Revolver, a late-night bar and music venue near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall on Roosevelt Road. Since its launch in 2010, locals and tourists have continuously come to experience a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Local and international bands play fantastic music, from punk and metal to acoustic and chilled. To enhance the visitors’ experience, the venue also hosts many events every night of the week.

    Nightlife in Taipei is the best, no matter how you look at it. The city becomes even more livelier after dark than during the day. Xinyi District is the best district for enjoying nightlife. It is a shopper’s paradise and home to swankiest bars and nightclubs. Not a fan of clubs? Then, how about enjoying Taipei Night View from Elephant Mountain? In addition to our recommended night markets, you will find many shopping and dining options in Dihua Street and Yongkang Street. Another out-of-the-box nighttime activity is catching Chinese shows at the TaipeiEYE. Also, don’t worry about safety; Taipei boasts an impressive low crime rate and is safe to visit at night.

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